Indians 2008 Minor League Free Agents

Note: This is an unofficial list as the official list will not be released by the Commissioner’s office until October 16th.Pitchers (9): T.J. Burton (RHP), Eddie Buzachero (RHP), Matt Ginter (RHP), John Halama (LHP), Jeff Harris (RHP), Juan Lara (LHP), Preston Larrison (RHP), J.D. Martin (RHP) Jeff Weaver (RHP)Catchers (3): Armando Camacaro, Damaso Espino, Yamid HaadFirst basemen (1): Matt WhitneySecond Basemen (2): Andy Cannizaro, Brandon ChavesShortstops (1): Niuman RomeroThird Basemen (2): Morgan Ensberg, Tony GraffaninoOutfielders (5): Jason...

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Josh Is No Punch And Judy Pitcher

Practically every pitcher in the bullpen at Single-A Lake County this year emerged and put themselves on the prospect map as far as reliever pitchers go. Right-hander Rob Bryson was the most publicized because he came in the C.C. Sabathia trade, right-hander Vinnie Pestano racked up a ton of saves on the year, right-hander Mike Pontius got off to a sensational start early in the year and can throw a ball throw a brick wall, and left-hander John Gaub was a strikeout machine...

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Holt Has Striking Command

The ability to throw strikes is something that comes easier and more natural to some pitchers, but for most it can be a struggle. The Indians have several pitchers in the system who have become notorious for their exceptional command, namely pitchers like left-hander David Huff and right-hander Josh Tomlin who are widely considered the top starting pitchers in the organization as far as the ability to control the strike zone goes. With the completion of the 2008 season another...

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Weekend Update: 9/27

A quick update today:• Left-hander David Huff ended up ranked #6 in Baseball America's International League Top 20. He was also ranked #11 in their Eastern League rankings. These rankings are not on their website yet, but will be soon.• For comments from the Baseball America chat transcripts for each league pertaining only to Indians prospects, check out the site message board thread on the BA Top 20s.• Martin Rozenman of the Columbus Dispatch makes a suggestion that in light of Columbus' new affiliation with Cleveland and their new ballpark set...

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Weekend Update: 9/26

I don't know how often I will have these updates, but the Indians provided some news from the Fall Instructional League out in Goodyear, AZ that Adam Miller made his debut on Tuesday in a 7-1 win over Kansas City. Miller threw two perfect innings and had three strikeouts while throwing 32 pitches. He topped out at 94 MPH on the radar gun. Outfielder Nick Weglarz, first baseman Beau Mills and catcher Carlos Santana hit home runs in the game.In other news, apparently Matt McBride's listing as an outfielder on the Hawaii Winter League's player roster...

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Minor Happenings: Phelps Is Second To None

"Minor Happenings" covers the important developments and news in the Indians farm system. While most of the information in this report is from my own research and through interviews I have conducted with organizational personnel, some information in this report is collected and summarized from the various news outlets that cover each team.Today is the final edition of Minor Happenings of the season. This is a special edition covering a few interviews I recently had with...

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Minor League Radio Tonight

I'm going solo tonight for the weekly hour long show.....so check out "Smoke Signals" if you get a chance. The show is still a WIP, but it is coming along with the hopes by the start of next season I am seasoned enough to have live guests on. Just another way to try and promote the minor leagues and also give some of these kids some attention.Tonight it will be 100% on the minors. I'll talk about the Santos/Snyder moves as well as any other moves on the horizon. I'll talk some about fall/winter baseball. Also talk about a lot of other things time...

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Composite Top 16

As many of you may know, I have reached out to many of you to see if you wanted to get involved with the site. Jellis is one of those people, and he along with a few others who will debut in the coming days and winter will help provide a varying opinion and perspective on things. Also, they will be able to provide some good analysis pieces and more that should complement the stuff I do on the site. Welcome aboard Jellis - TL.Some of you out there might know me as the frequent commenter Jellis on this site. I am very excited to now get a chance...

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Indians Participants In Hawaii Winter League

Here is a listing of the Indians players who will participate in the Hawaii Winter League (HWL) this fall:http://www.hawaiiwinterbaseball.com/tea ... &year=2008Adam Davis (C), Matt McBride (C), Josh Judy (RHP), Matt Meyer (LHP), Dustin Realini (1B), and Heath Taylor (LHP) are all on the North Shore team. Play begins this Saturday, 9/27.One note, and I have received a few questions on this, is McBride is listed as an outfielder on their roster (and on Baseball America's site). This is likely just a typo as I am not aware of any plans to play...

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Indians Lose Reid Santos

Left-hander Reid Santos has been claimed off outright waivers by the Toronto Blue Ja...

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A Wild Offseason Awaits Herrmann

When you think of immediate major league starting depth that the Indians will have stashed away in the minors next year, the names of lefties David Huff and Scott Lewis come to mind. Another pitcher who has entered that mix is Akron right-hander Frank Herrmann.Herrmann is a relatively unknown prospect, a player who went to Harvard University and went undrafted in the 2005 Draft before the Indians signed him in August of 2005 as an undrafted free agent. Generally considered...

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Indians lose Brad Snyder

Outfielder Brad Snyder was claimed today off outright waivers by the Chicago Cu...

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Mills And Gimenez Recognized

On Sunday the Indians announced the year-end organizational winners of their Minor League On-Base Program “On-Base-Where Careers Take Off”, sponsored by Continental Airlines. The on-base program stresses pitch recognition and patience at the plate for all position players within the organization’s Player Development System. Players are rewarded with a cash recognition for their performances based on three different non-traditional hitting categories at each of the six Indians Minor League affiliates (AAA Buffalo, AA Akron, A Kinston, A Lake County,...

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Wagner Finishes Strong At Akron

Right-hander Neil Wagner put up a great showing down the stretch this season.After starting the year at advanced Single-A Kinston and putting up an 8.73 ERA in nine April appearances, Wagner settled in the rest of the way to put up a 3.44 ERA in 32 appearances from May until mid-August when he was called up to Double-A Akron. At Akron he was sensational in limited time going 2-2 with a 2.75 ERA in 11 combined appearances in the regular season and playoffs. Wagner's late...

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Instructs Roster Breakdown

I was finally able to get a roster breakdown for the Indians Instructional League, and it is indeed still broken up into three camps. The breakdown is as follows:Fall Development Program (Games) (28)PITCHERSArcher, Chris (RHP)Bryson, Rob (RHP)De La Cruz, Kelvin (LHP)Gomez, Jeanmar (RHP)Haley, Trey (RHP)Lewis, Scott (LHP)Mahalic, Joey (RHP)Miller, Adam (RHP)Pontius, Mike (RHP)Putnam, Zach (RHP)Rondon, Hector (RHP)Sipp, Tony (LHPTaylor, Heath (LHP)CATCHERSCastillo, Alex(CA)Davis, Adam (CA)McBride, Matt (CA)Santana, Carlos (CA)INFIELDERSMills, Beau...

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Minor Happenings: Move To Columbus Finally Official

"Minor Happenings" covers the important developments and news in the Indians farm system. While most of the information in this report is from my own research and through interviews I have conducted with organizational personnel, some information in this report is collected and summarized from the various news outlets that cover each team.With Akron now finished with the playoffs, the Indians 2008 minor league season has come to a close. And with that another year of Minor...

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